Fizzer Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 I have a fairly 'unsubtle right hand' (as it were) and do get a bit carried away - the result being quite a bit of string movement and unwanted fret noise. As well as improving my technique, I was wondering if heavier strings might suit me better and give a smoother sound? I guess the other affects of string weight are brighter or duller sound? Or am I making a massive assumption about that? Quote
Legion Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 (edited) You sound like you already have the answers - practicing a lighter touch will help a lot. A higher string gauge will help as the inevitable increase in mass will absorb a lot of your input. Flatwounds generally fit this category, and you can get some pretty large, high tension sets (think labella jamesons for example) If you want rounds though I'm not the person to ask I'm afraid... EDIT: a quick glance at talkbass suggests D'addario pro steels are worth a look. Edited January 21, 2013 by Legion Quote
danthevan Posted January 21, 2013 Posted January 21, 2013 Try a set! No one can really tell you which strings you will get on with better, but heavier ones will help your symptoms Quote
Fizzer Posted January 23, 2013 Author Posted January 23, 2013 Cool, thnx for the feedback folks Quote
brensabre79 Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 I'm a heavy player too - (I migrated from drums you see) Whilst generally heavier gauge strings take a bit more of a pluck, I've found its more about the tension than the weight. I'm using Optima strings at the moment and they are considerably stiffer. I've also used the DR Lo-Riders in the past with a similar experience, they are stiffer than their Hi-Beam counterparts. For a while I used 50-110, I even tried 55-110, but on the Optima (Gold) now I'm back to 45-105 and no hitting the frets on an open string twang for me Quote
Hobbayne Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 I play quite hard too, but I don't use heavy strings, far from it. I use EB super slinkies but have the action a bit higher. That stops a lot of the probs. Quote
uncle psychosis Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 You'll get less fret noise if you change to flats... ...but your bass will also sound totally different. Some people love flats, others don't. Personally, I play quite hard and I compensate by having slightly high action. Works for me. Quote
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